History and Politics are two parts of the same Department. They are related – but distinct – subjects, the politics of today becoming the history of tomorrow.  Both involve the study of power: how it is gained and used, and how people react to it. Each develops ideas and controversy is therefore something we actively encourage.

History is offered at all levels, from Year 9 to Year 13. Although the courses differ, they have the same basic approach to the study of the past, the key issues being what happened and why it happened. History is therefore both a story and an enquiry, involving both evidence and interpretation.  We try to show the reality of the past by displays of pictures, flags and artefacts; these are on the walls. We also aim to encourage theories about the past through discussion which takes place between the walls.  

The study of Politics, which occurs in the sixth form only, focuses on the working of the governing systems in Britain, the European Union and the United States. Longer-term perspectives combine with immediate issues, so that examples of political developments are kept fully updated. This involves reading newspapers and periodicals as well as using the Internet. Our displays change frequently to reflect political changes which occur almost weekly, although we cannot be certain about which of these changes will be considered significant in the future.

Both subjects aim to promote individual thought and originality, both orally and in writing.  There are no right or wrong views – but, depending on how they are developed, there are good and bad ones.